Ramakrishna Kutira (B R Hills)

The village welfare work of the Ashrama was revived again in 1983 at a different venue. From 1983 to 1992 the Ashrama conducted an Integrated Tribal Development Programme for the development of tribal villages in the Chamarajanagar District. It also took up the task of developing a very backward and remote village named Budipadaga at the foot of B R Hills. The measures adopted to enlighten and help the villagers included methods of scientific farming, use of chemical fertilizers, bore well irrigation with sprinklers, sericulture, horticulture, soil conservation techniques, electric fencing to guard against the menace of wild elephants, installation of a flour-mill, training the local youth in operating it, community bore wells and so on. A sum of rupees twenty-five lakhs was spent on this project during the period from 1983 to 1997.

Swami Sureshananda who was the Correspondent of Vidyashala (1972-1991) and later President of Mysore Ashrama (1991-1999) wished to spend his retired life in contemplation in the serene surroundings at Biligiri Ranga Hills (BR Hills—about 100 Kms. from Mysore).  A devotee gifted to Mysore Ashrama a two-roomed compact accommodation in a plot of six acres.  This was named ‘Ramakrishna Kutira’ where the Swami lived for nearly 15 years before returning to Mysore Ashrama in 2013.  Presently the Kutira is used as a Retreat Centre for monks intending to spend time in seclusion and in contemplation.